Host Feedback of Scan Status

ABSTRACT

A multi-mode ring scanner (MMRS) has a ring unit for wearing on a finger. The MMRS optionally has a wrist unit coupled to the ring unit, such as via a cable. The MMRS optionally communicates wirelessly with a computing device. The ring unit has one or more scanners (such as an optical scanner or an RFID tag reader). The ring unit optionally has two paddle switches for activation by inward pressure from fingers adjacent to the finger. The two switches enable specifying operation of the MMRS in a plurality of modes and/or to communicate a plurality of information codes to the computing device. The computing device is optionally enabled to assign a function to each combination of activation of the two switches. A scanning system including the MMRS optionally provides feedback to a user based on feedback from a host processor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Priority benefit claims for this application are made in theaccompanying Application Data Sheet. This application incorporates byreference for all purposes the following application(s), all commonlyowned with the instant application not later than the effective filingdate of the instant application:

-   -   U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 16/215,460 (Docket No.        SC-18-16NP), filed Dec. 10, 2018, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,546,170,        first named inventor Robert John Miller, and entitled HOST        FEEDBACK OF SCAN STATUS;    -   U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 15/484,897 (Docket No.        SC-17-16NP), filed Apr. 11, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,152,623,        first named inventor Robert John Miller, and entitled HOST        FEEDBACK OF SCAN STATUS;    -   U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/797,482 (Docket No.        SC-15-16NP), filed Jul. 13, 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,626,542,        first named inventor Robert John Miller, and entitled HOST        FEEDBACK OF SCAN STATUS;    -   U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 14/450,802 (Docket No.        SC-14-16NP), filed Aug. 4, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,082,030,        first named inventor Robert John Miller, and entitled MULTI-MODE        RING SCANNER;    -   U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/684,716 (Docket No.        SC-12-16NP), filed Nov. 26, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,527,        first named inventor Robert John Miller, and entitled HOST        FEEDBACK OF SCAN STATUS FOR SCANNERS WIELDED BY HAND;    -   U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 13/108,684 (Docket No.        SC-11-16NP), filed May 16, 2011, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,102,        first named inventor Robert John Miller, and entitled MULTI-MODE        RING SCANNER;    -   U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/949,651 (Docket No.        SC.2005-16NP), filed Dec. 3, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,942,326,        first named inventor Robert John Miller, and entitled MULTI-MODE        RING SCANNER;    -   U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/554,080 (Docket No.        SC.2003.23), filed Mar. 17, 2004, first named inventor Leonard        Ott, and entitled CORDLESS HAND SCANNER WITH IMPROVED USER        FEEDBACK;    -   U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 11/082,190 (Docket No.        SC.2004.23), filed Mar. 16, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,000,        first named inventor Leonard Ott, and entitled CORDLESS HAND        SCANNER WITH IMPROVED USER FEEDBACK; and    -   U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/868,338 (Docket No.        SC.2005.16), filed Dec. 3, 2006, first named inventor Robert J.        Miller, and entitled MULTI-MODE RING SCANNER.

BACKGROUND Field

Advancements in scanning devices are needed to provide improvements inperformance, efficiency, and utility of use.

Related Art

Unless expressly identified as being publicly or well known, mentionherein of techniques and concepts, including for context, definitions,or comparison purposes, should not be construed as an admission thatsuch techniques and concepts are previously publicly known or otherwisepart of the prior art. All references cited herein (if any), includingpatents, patent applications, and publications, are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entireties, whether specifically incorporated ornot, for all purposes. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admissionthat any of the references are pertinent prior art, nor does itconstitute any admission as to the contents or date of actualpublication of these documents.

SUMMARY

The invention may be implemented in numerous ways, including as aprocess, an article of manufacture, an apparatus, a system, acomposition of matter, and a computer readable medium such as a computerreadable storage medium or a computer network wherein programinstructions are sent over optical or electronic communication links. Inthis specification, these implementations, or any other form that theinvention may take, may be referred to as techniques. In general, theorder of the steps of disclosed processes may be altered within thescope of the invention. The Detailed Description provides an expositionof one or more embodiments of the invention that enable improvements inperformance, efficiency, and utility of use in the field identifiedabove. The Detailed Description includes an Introduction to facilitatethe more rapid understanding of the remainder of the DetailedDescription. The Introduction includes Example Embodiments that terselysummarize illustrative systems and methods in accordance with theconcepts taught herein. As is discussed in more detail in theConclusions, the invention encompasses all possible modifications andvariations within the scope of the issued claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates selected details of an embodiment of a ring unit of amulti-mode ring scanner, showing a three-dimensional view of the top,the front, and the left side.

FIGS. 2 to 7 illustrate selected details of an embodiment of a ring unitof a multi-mode ring scanner, showing differing views.

FIG. 8A illustrates selected details of an embodiment of a ring unit ofa multi-mode ring scanner, showing a cross-sectional view of a verticalslice as seen from the front.

FIG. 8B illustrates selected details of an embodiment of a ring unit ofa multi-mode ring scanner, showing an enlargement of a portion of FIG.8A.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate selected details of an embodiment of a ringunit of a multi-mode ring scanner, showing a cut-away view from the top.

FIG. 10 illustrates selected details of an example of deployment of amulti-mode ring scanner, showing the multi-mode ring scanner worn by auser.

FIGS. 11A and 11C illustrate selected details of other examples ofdeployments of a multi-mode ring scanner, showing from a top viewselected details of embodiments of a stretch cable used to couple a ringunit and a wrist unit. FIGS. 11B and 11D illustrate, respectively,selected details of the stretch cables of FIGS. 11A and 11C from a sideview.

FIG. 12 illustrates a system context of an illustrative embodiment of awireless scanner with improved user feedback.

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram illustrating an embodiment of improved userfeedback in a wireless scanner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention isprovided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate theprinciples of the invention. The invention is described in connectionwith the embodiments. It is well established that it is neithernecessary, practical, or possible to exhaustively describe everyembodiment of the invention. Thus the embodiments herein are understoodto be merely illustrative, the invention is expressly not limited to orby any or all of the embodiments herein, and the invention encompassesnumerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. The existence ofan embodiment in some way distinct from other embodiments may bedescribed by such adjectives as “notable”, “particular”, “some”, orequivalents thereof. All such similar characterizations should beconsidered to be interchangeable, being variously used to avoid monotonyin the exposition and should not be construed as limiting the inventionin any way or that the embodiments so labeled should be treated anydifferently than the other embodiments, as every embodiment describedherein can be so characterized. Wherever multiple embodiments serve toillustrate variations in process, method, and/or program instructionfeatures, other implementations are contemplated that in accordance witha predetermined or a dynamically determined criterion perform staticand/or dynamic selection of one of a plurality of modes of operationcorresponding respectively to a plurality of the multiple embodiments.Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description toprovide a thorough understanding of the invention. The details areprovided as examples and the invention may be practiced according to theclaims without some or all of the details. For clarity, technicalmaterial that is known in the technical fields related to the inventionhas not been described in detail so that the invention is notunnecessarily obscured.

INTRODUCTION

This introduction is included only to facilitate the more rapidunderstanding of the Detailed Description. The invention is not limitedto the concepts presented in the introduction, as the paragraphs of anyintroduction are necessarily an abridged view of the entire subject andare not meant to be an exhaustive or restrictive description. Forexample, the introduction that follows provides overview informationlimited by space and organization to only certain embodiments. There arein fact many other embodiments, including those to which claims willultimately be drawn, which are discussed throughout the balance of thespecification.

Multiple types of scanners/readers are in use today, including opticalscanners and RFID tag readers. Optical scanning devices have beenimplemented in a variety of form factors, including some wearable forms.Current optical scanners are generally single function and/or lackflexible ways of providing dynamic user input. Further, cordless(wireless) hand-held scanners promise users greatly improvedconvenience, flexibility, and efficiency over previous corded scanners.The scan engines within such hand-held scanners function quite reliably.The wireless links, in and of themselves, also are reliable andgenerally have robust error correction. Nevertheless, the overall pathbetween the scan engine and the host processor (which receives the scandata) relies upon a number of more or less independent components andmay use a variety of links, with varying degrees of reliability anderror detection. Furthermore, the host processor may be busy orotherwise not available. Thus, a successful scan by the scan engine doesnot in itself assure a successful scan received by the host processor.If the user has grown accustomed to a corded scanner, user confidence(and thereby user acceptance) in using a cordless scanner may also belacking simply due to infamiliarity. Increased user confidence andacceptance for cordless hand-held scanners and increased systemperformance and reliability may be obtained through improved userfeedback in accordance with the teachings herein. In an illustrativeembodiment, the state of one or more indicators on the cordless scanneris changed as a result of feedback from a coupled host processor. Thisis in contrast to previous scanners where scan confirmation indicatorswere based simply on whether the scan engine alone performed asuccessful scan. Obtaining timely confirmation that the host processorhas received the scan successfully (or not) leads to increasedconfidence in, and acceptance of, the cordless hand-held scanner andmore adept use thereof.

A multi-mode ring scanner (MMRS) has a ring unit for wearing on afinger. The MMRS optionally has a wrist unit coupled to the ring unit,such as via a cable. The MMRS optionally communicates wirelessly with acomputing device. The ring unit has one or more scanners (such as anoptical scanner or an RFID tag reader). The ring unit optionally has twopaddle switches for activation by inward pressure from fingers adjacentto the finger. The two switches enable specifying operation of the MMRSin a plurality of modes and optionally enable the MMRS to communicate aplurality of information codes to the computing device. The computingdevice is optionally enabled to assign a function to each combination ofactivation of the two switches. A scanning system including the MMRSoptionally provides feedback to a user based on feedback from a hostprocessor.

Acronyms

Elsewhere herein various shorthand abbreviations, or acronyms, are used.The descriptions of at least some of the acronyms follow.

Acronym Description ASCII American Standard Code for InformationInterchange CCD Charge Coupled Device CTS Clear To Send ESE Extended SSIEngine LAN Local Area Network LED Light Emitting Diode MMRS Multi-ModeRing Scanner PAN Personal Area Network PC Personal Computer PCB PrintedCircuit Board PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect PDA Personal DigitalAssistant RF Radio Frequency RFID Radio Frequency IDentification RTSRequest To Send S2H Scanner-to-Host SD Secure Digital SSI Simple SerialInterface UFL User Feedback Logic USB Universal Serial Bus UWB UltraWide Band WAN Wide Area Network WLAN Wireless Local Area Network WMWireless Module WPAN Wireless Personal Area Network

Example Embodiments

This introduction concludes with a collection of paragraphs that terselysummarize illustrative systems and methods in accordance with theconcepts taught herein. Each of the paragraphs highlights variouscombinations of features. These compressed descriptions are not meant tobe mutually exclusive, exhaustive, or restrictive, and the invention isnot limited to these highlighted combinations. As is discussed in moredetail in the Conclusion section, the invention encompasses all possiblemodifications and variations within the scope of the issued claims.

In some embodiments, an MMRS has a wrist unit and a ring unit coupled bya cable. In various embodiments, the cable is a flat cable, a ribboncable, a coaxial cable, or a coiled cable or a bundle of wires,optionally enclosed in a sheath. In various embodiments, the cable ispermanently fixed to the wrist unit and is detachable from the ringunit, or alternatively the cable is permanently fixed to the ring unitand is detachable from the wrist unit. In some embodiments, the cable isadapted to reduce slack between the wrist unit and the ring unit, suchas via implementing the cable as a stretchable cable, a z-fold cable, aserpentine cable, or a coiled cable. In some embodiments, the cable isdetachable from either or both of the wrist unit and the ring unit. Insome embodiments, the ring unit is worn on a finger of a user. In someembodiments, the wrist unit is worn on a wrist (or forearm) of a user.In some embodiments, the wrist unit is adapted to be worn on a belt, orattached to a waist or another part of a body of a user.

In some embodiments, an MMRS has a wrist unit and a ring unit connectedby a detachable cable. In other embodiments, an MMRS has a wrist unitand a ring unit coupled via wireless transceivers, such as Bluetoothtransceivers. In some embodiments, the wrist unit has a communicationsmechanism for communicating with a network and/or a computing device. Invarious embodiments, the communications mechanism is one or more of aBluetooth transceiver, an 802.11 wireless transceiver, a ZigBeetransceiver, a UWB transceiver, a WLAN or WPAN transceiver, or aninfrared transceiver.

In some embodiments, an MMRS has a ring unit, the ring unit having acommunications mechanism for communicating with a network and/or acomputing device. In various embodiments, the communications mechanismis one or more of a Bluetooth transceiver, an 802.11 wirelesstransceiver, or an infrared transceiver.

In various embodiments, a ring unit of an MMRS has one or more of anoptical scanner, an RFID tag reader, a magnetic strip (e.g. credit card)reader, and a biometric reader/scanner (e.g. a fingerprint reader or aretina scanner). In some embodiments, an optical scanner is optimized toscan bar codes. In some embodiments, an optical scanner is enabled toscan printed text.

In some embodiments, an MMRS has a computing device enabled tocommunicate via a network, and adapted to communicate wirelessly withanother unit of the MMRS, such as a wrist unit or a ring unit. Invarious embodiments, the communication in a wireless fashion is via aradio communication protocol, such as 802.11 or Bluetooth. In someembodiments, the communication in a wireless fashion is via infraredsignaling. In various embodiments, software running on the computingdevice is enabled to process input from other units of the MMRS. Forexample, in some embodiments, the computing device is enabled to processuser input applied at a unit of the MMRS, such as manual operation ofswitches on a ring unit. In another example, in various embodiments, thecomputing device is enabled to process input gathered by a unit of theMMRS, such as a data stream of an optical scan performed by an opticalscanner of a ring unit, or a tag value obtained by an RFID tag reader ofa ring unit. In yet another example, in some embodiments, the computingdevice is enabled to provide information for improved user feedback(e.g. “scan information successfully entered into database”) to theMMRS.

In some embodiments, an MMRS has one or more processors. In someembodiments, one of the one or more processors is included in a wristunit of the MMRS. In some embodiments, one of the one or more processorsis included in a ring unit of the MMRS. In various embodiments, aprocessor in a ring unit of an MMRS enables local control of scanningand/or reading devices, such as an optical scanner or an RFID tagreader. In some embodiments, local control of scanning and/or readingdevices includes interpreting results of scanning and/or reading toproduce processed results, and communicating the processed results to acomputing device, such as a host PC. In various embodiments, a processorin a ring unit of an MMRS enables local processing of user input, suchas operation of switches of the ring unit. In some embodiments, localprocessing of input of switches includes debouncing of the switches. Insome embodiments, local processing of user input includes interpretingthe user input, and communicating the user input to a computing device,such as a host server or PC.

In some embodiments, an MMRS has a plurality of user-operable switches.In various embodiments, one or more switches are on a wrist unit. Invarious embodiments, one or more switches are on a ring unit. In someembodiments, a pair of user-operable switches is provided on a ringunit, such as one on each side of the ring unit. In some embodiments,each switch of the pair of switches operates independently. In someembodiments, each switch of the pair of switches is separately enabledto signal an event, such as by closing (or opening) a contact, whenpressure is applied to (or removed from) the respective switch.

In some embodiments, a pair of user-operable switches is provided, oneon each side of a ring unit, the pair arranged so that each of theuser-operable switches is activated by pressure, such as squeezing, fromfingers adjacent to a finger the ring unit is worn on. For example, insome usage scenarios where the ring unit is on a right index finger, aleft user-operable switch is activated by pressure of an adjacent thumb,and a right user-operable switch is activated by pressure of an adjacentmiddle finger. In some usage scenarios, providing a pair ofuser-operable switches enables the ring unit to be used equally by bothleft-handed and right-handed users, without a need to physically alter,modify, or reconfigure the ring unit.

In some embodiments, a ring unit of an MMRS has a pair of user-operableswitches, one on each side of the ring unit, and arranged so that theuser-operable switches are activated by pressure, such as squeezing,from fingers adjacent to a finger the ring unit is worn on. In someembodiments, the ring unit is a single piece assembly with no abilityfor a user to mechanically re-arrange or re-configure a physical formfactor of the ring unit. For example, because the switches are arrangedsymmetrically, one on each side of the ring unit, the ring unit isenabled for left- or right-handed use without mechanical rearrangement,reconfiguration, or alteration.

In some embodiments, a ring unit of an MMRS has a pair of user-operableswitches, one on each side of the ring unit, with the switches formed aspaddles. Each paddle acts as one side of a respective L-shaped rockerbar mechanism, with the respective paddle having a respective nominal(sans pressure) position, wherein pressure on the respective paddlepivots the respective rocker bar around a central point. The pivotingcauses another side of the respective rocker bar to contact and todepress a respective membrane switch mounted on a flexible PCB, andfurther causes the respective membrane switch to register a respectivetransition. In some embodiments, releasing pressure on one of thepaddles causes the respective membrane switch to return to anon-depressed state. The return of the respective membrane switch exertsa restorative force on the respective L-shaped rocker bar that returnsthe one of the paddles to the respective nominal position. In someembodiments, the paddle is affixed to the L-shaped rocker bar mechanism.In other embodiments, the paddle forms one side of the L-shaped rockerbar mechanism.

In some embodiments, a ring unit of an MMRS has a pair of user-operableswitches, and the switches specify a two-bit, binary code. Each bit ofthe code is determined from an on-off (active/inactive) state of arespective one of the pair of switches. The code specifies up to fourdistinct operating modes of the ring unit. For example, if neitherswitch is depressed, a first mode is indicated; if only a left switch isdepressed, a second mode is indicated; if only a right switch isdepressed, a third mode is indicated; and if both switches aredepressed, a fourth mode is indicated. In some usage scenarios, themodes correspond to operating modes of the ring unit, such as off (noscanning/reading active), optical scan active, RFID tag read active, andboth optical scan and RFID tag read active. In some embodiments,information about mode selection is communicated from the MMRS to acomputing device via a wireless communications mechanism. For example,in some usage scenarios, the modes correspond to ways of usinginformation obtained via the ring unit, such as off (no scanningactive), scan/read to verify inventory, scan/read to add inventory, andscan/read to delete inventory. For another example, in some usagescenarios, the modes correspond to operation in a scanning system withoptional improved user feedback (via interaction with a host processor),such as scan with improved user feedback and scan without improved userfeedback.

In some embodiments, a ring unit of an MMRS has a pair of user-operableswitches, and the switches specify a plurality of codes. In some usagescenarios, depending upon a sequence and a simultaneity of depressingthe switches, different codes are signaled. For example: if neitherswitch is depressed, a first code is indicated; if only a left switch isdepressed, a second code is indicated; if only a right switch isdepressed, a third code is indicated; if both switches aresimultaneously depressed, a fourth code is indicated; if the rightswitch is depressed followed by the left switch, a fifth code isindicated; and if the left switch is depressed followed by the rightswitch, a sixth code is indicated. In various embodiments, other ways ofusing the switches, such as tapping the switches, or holding theswitches for long or for short durations, or other combinations andsequences, specify different codes.

In some embodiments, a code specified by the user-operable switches isused, at least in part, to determine an operating mode of the MMRS. Insome embodiments, a code specified by the user-operable switches iscommunicated wirelessly to a computing device, such as a host PC, forfurther processing and/or interpretation.

In some embodiments, at least some of the codes are directly processedby control circuitry in the ring unit. In some embodiments, at leastsome of the codes are communicated from the ring unit to a wrist unitand are processed at the wrist unit. In some embodiments, at least someof the codes are communicated from the MMRS to a computing device via awireless communications mechanism, and are processed at the computingdevice. In some embodiments, where or how a code is processed isdependent on a value of the code. For example, if the code is a firstvalue, then the code is directly processed by control circuitry in thering unit. If the code is a second value, then the code is communicatedfrom the ring unit to a wrist unit and processed at the wrist unit. Ifthe code is a third value, then the code is communicated from the MMRSto a computing device via a wireless communications mechanism, andprocessed at the computing device.

In various embodiments, functions are associated with at least some ofthe codes, and the associations between the functions and the at leastsome of the codes are changeable by a computing device coupled to theMMRS via a wireless communications mechanism. For example, initially afirst function is performed when a left switch is depressed, and asecond function is performed when a right switch is depressed. Uponapplication of a change by a computing device coupled to the MMRS via awireless communications mechanism, the second function is performed whenthe left switch is depressed, and the first function is performed whenthe right switch is depressed. In some embodiments, the computing deviceassigns, reassigns, or modifies one or more functions associated with orspecified by the switches based on user input at the computing device(e.g. via a keyboard, mouse, or other user interface mechanism). In someembodiments, the computing device changes which of one or more functionsare performed when the switches are activated, and the changes are basedon the codes communicated by the scanner to the computing device. Insome embodiments, the changes are dynamically made during otherwisenormal operation. In some embodiments, the changes are restricted tooccur only during operation in one or more configuration contexts.

In some embodiments, an MMRS has a user-output mechanism. In variousembodiments, all or any portion of the user-output mechanism is on aring unit, a wrist unit, or both. In various embodiments, theuser-output mechanism is a display unit adapted for wearing, such as inthe form of a pair of glasses. In various embodiments, the user-outputmechanism has any combination of one or more LEDs or lights, a speaker(e.g. for generating audio output), an LCD display, and a projectiondisplay. In some usage scenarios, the user-output mechanism signalsinformation to a user of the MMRS in response to operation of the MMRS.For example, in some embodiments, a current operating mode (or changethereof) of the MMRS is signaled via the user-output mechanism. In someembodiments, a successful scan is signaled via the user-outputmechanism. In some embodiments, a computing device coupled to the MMRSvia a wireless communications mechanism is enabled, at least in part, tosignal via the user-output mechanism.

In some embodiments, one or more interactions between the user, thescanner, and a computing device, are managed via a scanning system thatincludes an MMRS embodied, for example, as a cordless scanner device,according to any of the foregoing embodiments. A first embodiment of acordless scanner device for use in conjunction with at least onewireless enabled host processor, the first embodiment including: a scanengine, a wireless interface for coupling the scan engine to thewireless enabled host processor; at least one scan status indicator;user feedback logic coupled to the wireless interface and the at leastone scan status indicator; a housing at least partially containing thescan engine, the wireless interface, the at least one scan stateindicator, and the user feedback logic; and wherein the user feedbacklogic selectively changes the state of the at least one scan statusindicator based upon scan confirmation status sent by the hostprocessor. The preceding embodiment, wherein the scan confirmationstatus indicates whether or not the host processor successfully receivedscan data from the scan engine.

A second embodiment, including all of the aspects of the firstembodiment, wherein the scan confirmation status is sent embedded in acommand stream sent from the host processor to the scan engine. Thesecond embodiment, wherein the scan confirmation status is sent as anextended SSI command. The second embodiment, wherein the user feedbacklogic captures the embedded scan confirmation status and implements thechange in the at least one scan status indicator in accordance with thecaptured scan confirmation status. The preceding embodiment, wherein theat least one scan status indicator includes a green light. The precedingembodiment, wherein the green light does not illuminate until the hostprocessor indicates that it has successfully received a scan. Thepreceding embodiment, wherein the green light is implemented using LEDtechnology.

A third embodiment, including all of the aspects of either the first orthe second embodiments, wherein the scan engine uses optics basedscanning. The third embodiment, wherein the scan engine is for scanningbar codes. The third embodiment, wherein the scan engine includes alaser scanner. The third embodiment, wherein the scan engine includes a1D CCD array. The third embodiment, wherein the scan engine includes a2D CCD imager.

A fourth embodiment, including all of the aspects of either the first orthe second embodiments, wherein the scan engine uses RF based scanning.The fourth embodiment, wherein the scan engine is for scanning RFIDtags. The fourth embodiment, wherein the scan engine uses inductivecoupling techniques. The fourth embodiment, wherein the scan engine usesperturbated reflected RF energy techniques. The fourth embodiment,wherein the scan engine uses microwave backscatter techniques. Thefourth embodiment, wherein the scan engine is enabled to read a magneticstripe. The foregoing embodiment, wherein the magnetic stripe is part ofa credit card.

A fifth embodiment, including all of the aspects of any of the firstthrough the fourth embodiments, wherein the wireless interface of thewireless scanner is compatible with an industry standard for personalarea wireless networking. The forgoing embodiment wherein the industrystandard is compatible with the Bluetooth standard. A sixth embodiment,including all of the aspects of any of the first through the fourthembodiments, wherein the wireless interface of the wireless scanner iscompatible with an industry standard for local area wireless networking.The forgoing embodiment wherein the industry standard is compatible withthe WiFi standard. A seventh embodiment, including all of the aspects ofany of the first through the fourth embodiments, wherein the wirelessinterface of the wireless scanner is infrared.

An eighth embodiment, including all of the aspects of the firstembodiment, wherein the scan status indicators transition between statesthat include: standby for host confirmation and good scan at host. Thepreceding embodiment, wherein the states further include: waiting onuser, and bad scan at host.

A ninth embodiment, including all of the aspects of the firstembodiment, wherein the scan engine performs a scan only when thewireless link between the scan engine and the host processor is working.

Multi-Mode Ring Scanner

FIG. 1 illustrates selected details of an embodiment of a ring unit ofan MMRS, showing a three-dimensional view of the top, the front, and theleft side. FIG. 1 illustrates ring unit 110. In some embodiments, ringunit 110 includes a coupling for cable 122, enabling ring unit 110 tocouple with a wrist unit, such as wrist unit 130, as shown in FIG. 10.In other embodiments, ring unit 110 operates without cable 122 andconnects wirelessly to a wrist unit, or connects wirelessly directly toa network and/or to a computing device. The wireless connectivity isprovided, for example, via inclusion of one or more of a Bluetoothtransceiver, an 802.11 wireless transceiver, a ZigBee transceiver, a UWBtransceiver, a WLAN or WPAN transceiver, or an infrared transceiver.

FIGS. 2 to 7 illustrate selected details of an embodiment of a ring unitof an MMRS, showing differing views. FIGS. 2 and 6 are side views. FIG.3 is a back view. FIG. 4 is a top view. FIG. 5 is a front view. FIG. 7is a bottom view.

FIGS. 3 and 5 also illustrate strap 190. Strap 190 provides a way tosecure ring unit 110 to a finger of a user, such as user 199, as shownin FIG. 10. In some embodiments, strap 190 is an adjustable strap. Insome embodiments, strap 190 is fabric hook-and-loop fastener (such as aVelcro strap).

Example of Deployments

FIG. 10 illustrates selected details of an example of deployment of anMMRS, showing the MMRS worn by a user. In some embodiments, ring unit110 and wrist unit 130 are coupled via cable 122. As shown in theexample of FIG. 10, both ring unit 110 and wrist unit 130 are deployedon a finger and on a wrist, respectively, of user 199. In someembodiments, not shown in FIG. 10, functionality of the wrist unit issubsumed into the ring unit, and the wrist unit and the cable are notpresent.

In some embodiments, cable 122 is a stretchable cable. The stretchablecable is adapted to permit a full range of movement of the hand andwrist. At the same time, the stretchable cable is adapted to minimize oreliminate the “loop” (the gap between the hand and the cable) that wouldotherwise be formed with a non-stretchable cable, by reducing excesscable length when the hand and wrist are in some configurations. Invarious usage scenarios, minimizing or eliminating the loop (or reducingthe slack in the cable) improves visual appeal, reduces chances ofcatching the loop on (or by) adjacent objects, or both. In variousembodiments, the stretch cable is a flat, a ribbon cable, or a coiledcable. The stretch cable length is such that a slight tension ismaintained between the wrist unit and the ring unit when the wrist unitand the ring unit are in closest proximity to each other during use.

FIG. 11A illustrates selected details of another example of deploymentof an MMRS, showing from a top view the use of a stretch ribbon cable tocouple ring unit 110 and wrist unit 130. As shown, the stretch cable hasan outer stretch harness 122H holding an inner cable 122C. In variousembodiments, the inner cable 122C is arranged in a serpentine, z-fold(illustrated), or other configuration. In some embodiments, the innercable is captured between two layers of stretch material (such aselastic fabric). In various embodiments, the layers are held together byglue, epoxy, stitching, or other fastening. FIG. 11B illustratesselected details of stretch ribbon cable 122C of FIG. 11A from a sideview. The stretch ribbon cable includes plug 122P-1 for mating withwrist unit 130 and plug 122P-2 for mating with ring unit 110. The innercable 122C is held between a top stretch layer 122T and a bottom stretchlayer 122B. FIG. 11C illustrates selected details of another example ofdeployment of an MMRS, showing from a top view the use of a stretchcoiled cable 122D coupling ring unit 110 and wrist unit 130. FIG. 11Dillustrates selected details of stretch coiled cable 122D of FIG. 11Cfrom a side view. The stretch coiled cable includes plug 122P-3 formating with wrist unit 130 and plug 122P-4 for mating with ring unit110.

Multiple Input Devices

FIG. 8A illustrates selected details of an embodiment of a ring unit ofan MMRS, showing a cross-sectional view of a vertical slice as seen fromthe front Ring unit 110, as shown in FIG. 8A, has circuitry 850 andflexible PCB 840 enclosed by outer casing 833. In some embodiments,flexible PCB 840 is wrapped around shelf 842, providing mechanicalsupport for both a top portion and a bottom portion of the flexible PCB.Circuitry 850 includes, in various embodiments, scanning and/or readingdevices (such as optical scanners, RFID tag readers, magnetic stripreaders, and biometric readers/scanners). In some embodiments, circuitry850 has one or more communications mechanisms, such as an interface tocable 122 or a Bluetooth transceiver. In some embodiments, circuitry 850further has control circuitry, such as a local processor. In someembodiments, the local processor has associated memories, such as flashmemory and/or static random access memory. In some embodiments, aportion of circuitry 850 is mounted on flexible PCB 840. In someembodiments, a portion of circuitry 850 is mounted on shelf 842.

Ring unit 110 further has rocker arms 810 and 811. The rocker arms aredesigned so that inward pressure (towards a central axis of the ringunit), applied by a wearer of the ring unit, causes the rocker arms topivot and an end of the rocker arms to contact a switch on flexible PCB840. This is shown in more detail in FIG. 8B.

FIG. 8B illustrates selected details of an embodiment of a ring unit ofan MMRS, showing an enlargement of a portion of FIG. 8A. FIG. 8Billustrates rocker arm 810, showing how the rocker arm is enabled toactivate a switch. Rocker arm 810 has a nominal position (when no inwardpressure is applied to the rocker arm). Inward pressure on paddle end814 pivots the rocker arm around pivot point 818, causing switch end 816to elevate and to depress switch 820 mounted on flexible PCB 840. Insome embodiments, switch 820 is a membrane switch. In some embodiments,removal of pressure on paddle end 814 causes membrane switch 820 toexert pressure on switch end 816, returning rocker arm 810 to thenominal (no inward pressure) position. In some embodiments, flexible PCB840 is wrapped around shelf 842, providing mechanical support for both atop portion and a bottom portion of the flexible PCB, the bottom portionhaving switch 820.

Attachment of Input Devices

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate selected details of an embodiment of a ringunit of an MMRS, showing a cut-away view from the top. In FIGS. 9A and9B, the upper portion of the ring unit (circuitry 850, flexible PCB 840,shelf 842, and outer casing 833 as shown in FIG. 8A) are not illustratedto show a view of rocker arms 810 and 811, and a manner of attachmentand operation.

As illustrated by FIGS. 9A and 9B, rocker arms 810 and 811 have a paddleend, such as paddle end 814 of rocker arm 810, and a switch end, such asswitch end 816 of rocker arm 810. The rocker arms have one or more pivotpoints, such as pivot point 818 of rocker arm 810, enabling the rockerarm to rotate so that in response to inward pressure on the paddle end,the switch end elevates, causing the switch end to contact a switch,such as a membrane switch, on a flexible PCB (not shown in FIGS. 9A and9B).

As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, rocker arms 810 and 811 are independent,and operate freely and without interfering with each other. This permitsuser operation of the paddles, and thereby the switches they depress, tooccur in a wide range of combinations and sequences.

Multi-Mode Operation

One or more processors included in a wrist unit, a ring unit, or both ofan MMRS, enable local processing functions, such as local control ofscanning and/or reading devices, interpretation and implementation ofactions relating to switches of the ring unit, and communication ofinformation between the units of the MMRS or between a host server orPC. Activations (and deactivations) of the switches are optionallyprocessed to change an operating mode (from among a plurality ofoperating modes) of the MMRS, to signal an event, or to specify a codeto communicate to the host.

For example, an embodiment of an MMRS includes a pair of switches, and afirst mode is entered when a first one of the two switches is activated,a second mode is entered when a second one of the two switches isactivated, a third mode is entered when both of the two switches areactivated, and a fourth mode is entered when neither of the two switchesare activated. Exemplary modes include no scanning/reading active,optical scan active, RFID tag read active, and both optical scan andRFID tag read active. Further exemplary modes relate to ways of usinginformation from the MMRS, such as off (no scanning active), scan/readto verify inventory, scan/read to add inventory, and scan/read to deleteinventory. The modes relating to ways of using the information areoptionally communicated to the host. Further exemplary modes correspondto operation with and without improved user feedback (such as from thehost). For another example, any of four distinct events or codes issignaled by activation/deactivation of the pair of switches (first onand second off, first off and second on, first and second on, and bothoff).

The processing of the activations (and the deactivations) is, in variousembodiments, performed on any combination of the processors included inthe MMRS and the processing resources of the host. In some embodiments,processing relating to various activations/deactivations is performedselectively dependent on the particular activation/deactivation. As anexample, activation of a first switch specifies turning on a scanner ofthe ring unit, and activation of a second switch specifies togglingbetween inventory add and inventory deletion operation. Activation ofthe first switch is processed by the processors included in the MMRS andactivation of the second switch is processed by the processing resourcesof the host.

Operation of the MMRS is alterable, in some embodiments, by the host.For example, initially, first and second modes are entered,respectively, when respective ones of the switches are pressed.Subsequently, the host directs the MMRS to operate such that third andfourth modes are entered, respectively, when respective ones of theswitches are pressed.

Modes, events, and/or codes are specified, in various embodiments,according to “static” and “dynamic” activation/deactivation of theswitches of the MMRS. An example of static activation (deactivation) isturning a switch on (or leaving a switch off) for a relatively longperiod of time. Examples of dynamic activation (deactivation) aretapping a single switch, or tapping different switches in sequence.

Wireless Scanner System

FIG. 12 shows an illustrative embodiment of a wireless scanner 1100 withimproved user feedback in the context of system 1000. In system 1000,scan target 1101 is scanned by scanner 1100 via scan process 1110. Scanprocess 1110 may take a variety of forms, such as passive and activeoptical and RF techniques for scanning printed codes and RFID tags.

Scanner 1100 includes scan engine 1150 (including scan transducer 1151and audible indicator 1152) coupled via 1120 to Scanner-to-Host (S2H)interface module 1160, control 1161, visual indicator group 1164(including amber light 1162 and green light 1163). According to variousembodiments, visual scan indicator group 1164 includes one or morelights (such as a green LED of an MMRS). Scanner-to-Host (S2H) interfacemodule 1160 includes wireless module (WM) 1165, User Feedback Logic(UFL) 1166 and Extended SSI Engine (ESE) 1167. In an illustrativeembodiment, coupling 1120 is logically compatible with an RS-232 link.According to various embodiments, all or any portions of scanner 1100are included in any combination of a wrist unit, a cable, and a ringunit (such as wrist unit 130, cable 122, and ring unit 110 of FIG. 10).

Scanner 1100 communicates scan data to host 1200 via wireless connection1130. Wireless connection 1130 may take a variety of forms, such as PANtechnology (e.g., Bluetooth or ZigBee), LAN technology (e.g., WiFi), oroptical technology (e.g., infrared). In illustrative embodiments, forsome applications where host 1200 is a PDA, tablet PC, or phone (e.g.mobile or cell), Bluetooth class 2 is used, having a range of roughly 10meters. For some applications where host 1200 is a desktop, Bluetoothclass 1 is used, having a range of roughly 100 meters.

Host 1200 may take a variety of forms, such as point-of-sale terminals;desktop, laptop, and tablet PCs; PDAs; and mobile/cell phones. Host 1200includes host processor 1210 coupled via link 1215 to wireless module1220 and optionally via interconnect 1225 to optional LAN/WAN interface1230. In an illustrative embodiment, link 1215 is connected to astandard com (serial communications) port of the host processor. Host1200 includes an operating system (such as Symbian, Palm, Microsoft,Linux, or embedded variations of the foregoing, depending on theplatform) and device drivers for scanner 1100.

Link 1215 is, in various embodiments, compatible with USB, PCI, SD, andExpressCard bus signaling and/or protocols. Link 1215 uses, in variousembodiments, a protocol that is compatible with transport provided bylink 1130. For example, in some embodiments where the host is a PDA orphone, link 1215 uses a protocol compatible with the industry standardH4 serial protocol to communicate the SSI data between the hostprocessor and the scanner. For another example, in some embodimentswhere the host is a desktop, laptop, or tablet PC, a protocol compatiblewith the industry standard USB protocol is used.

Host 1200 optionally communicates over network LAN/WAN 1300 toclient/server 1400 (via host-to-network link 1250 andclient/server-to-network link 1350). LAN/WAN 1300 may take a variety offorms such as a LAN, a larger departmental network, an intranet, and theInternet. Links 1250 and 1350 may take a variety of forms such asEthernet, WiFi, RS-232, dial-up modem, and mobile/cell phonetechnologies. Wireless links employ antennas, perhaps embedded withintheir associated devices, perhaps at least partially external, none ofwhich are explicitly shown, but are understood to be present to those ofordinary skill in the art.

Client/server 1400 generally has an associated database 1500 that may bequeried or updated in response to the scan of scan target 1101.Alternatively, such a database may in whole or in part reside on host1200 and be queried or updated locally, and the LAN/WAN connection maybe established periodically to synchronize the local and remote copiesof the database.

The scan data is transferred over the links using various degrees ofencoding and encapsulation. Scan engine 1150 communicates using theindustry SSI protocol, that encapsulates ASCII data corresponding toscanned code. Example off-the-shelf SSI modules suitable for use as scanengine 1150 are the SE4400, 923, 824, and Positron modules, all bySymbol Technologies. Other modules are suitable for use as the scanengine, such as the Intermec EA15. In some embodiments, ESE 1167 andhost processor 1210 communicate using an extension of the SSI protocol,described below. The extended SSI protocol is bridged onto wireless link1130. The device drivers within host 1200 (for use with scanner 1100),and the firmware within ESE 1167, are enabled to use the extended SSIprotocol.

In an illustrative embodiment, data received by ESE 1167 from hostprocessor 1210 over wireless link 1130 is generally resent over RS-232link 1120 as a command to scan engine 1150 using an RTS/CTS controlhandshake. Data received by ESE 1167 from scan engine 1150 over RS-232link 1120 is generally resent to host processor 1210 using the flowcontrol protocol of wireless link 1130.

To enable host processor 1210 to send messages to scanner 1100 overwireless link 1130, a current SSI command from the “HOST” to the scanengine has been lengthened. In an illustrative embodiment, the commandselected is the SSI command CMD_NAK, which has the Opcode 0xD1 and aminimum length of 6 bytes.

As illustrated in the following table, an SSI Sub Command of CMD_NAK isdefined with a payload that includes an indication that the hostprocessor did (ACK), or did not (FAIL), receive a good scan. How theseindications are used is detailed in conjunction with examination of FIG.13, discussed next. Other embodiments use other techniques for extendingthe SSI command set, or use a custom command set, to equivalentlyprovide the scanner with the host scan confirmation.

TABLE 1 Host Scan Confirmation Status (Extended SSI Command) Field NameFormat Size Description Length 0x07 1 Byte Length of packet (excludesCS) Opcode 0xD1 1 Byte SSI Opcode (always 0xD1) Message Source 0x04(Host) 1 Byte Identifies where the message is coming from. Status Bit 0:Retransmit 1 Byte Identifies the transmission status. Bit 1-7: unusedUnused bits must be set to 0. Sub Command 0x0008 2 Bytes Host ScanConfirmation Status Payload 1 Byte Scan Confirmation Status: 0x00 = badscan (FAIL) 0x01 = scan received OK (ACK) Checksum 2 Bytes Checksum ofmessage.

Wireless Scanner User Feedback

FIG. 13 is a flow diagram conceptually illustrating improved userfeedback in a wireless scanner. Multiple embodiments are illustrated bythe figure, corresponding to dashed paths 2010 and 2020.

Flow begins conceptually at operation 500, corresponding to waiting fora new scan to be user initiated. Button-event, operation 501,corresponds to the user initiating a scan by pressing scan button 1161.The button-event is then noted by User-Feedback Logic (UFL) 1166 inoperation 502. According to various embodiments, scan button 1161corresponds to either of two switches, such as activated by rocker arms810 or 811 of FIG. 8A, e.g. by squeezing or pressing respective paddles.In various embodiments, an activation of scan button 1161 corresponds tospecification of one or more of a plurality of codes via operation ofthe paddles or a sequence of operations of the paddles. In one example,activation of the scan button corresponds to squeezing a left (or right)paddle that depresses a left (or right) switch. In another example,activation of the scan button corresponds to squeezing the left paddlefollowed by squeezing the right paddle, thus depressing the left switchfollowed by depressing the right switch.

From operation 502, flow continues down one of path 2010 or 2020. In afirst embodiment, corresponding to path 2020, host processor 1210receives notice of the button-event from UFL 1166 in operation 503. UFL1166 subsequently receives a scan initiation command from host processor1210 in operation 504. In a second embodiment, flow follows path 2010,bypassing operations 503 and 504 (these operations are not implementedif path 2010 is followed). In both embodiments, flow continues tooperation 505.

Scan engine 1150 receives the scan initiation command from UFL 1166 inoperation 505, and initiates a scan. The scan engine returns scan dataand status to UFL 1166 in operation 506A.

Whether to use path 2010 or 2020 is an implementation dependent choice.In some usage scenarios, path 2020 is preferable if the additionaloperations do not introduce a significant delay in initiating the scan.When flow includes path 2020, UFL 1166 will not proceed to operation 505until it receives a scan command from host processor 1210. If the scancommand is not received within a timeout interval, the flow returns tooperation 500, without the scan engine being activated. This abnormaltimeout path is not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 13. In some usagescenarios, not activating the scan engine when the wireless link is downis a benefit of using the embodiment of path 2020. Activating the scanengine (which generates scanning behavior that the user generallyperceives) when the wireless link is down may confuse the user.

Reduced path delay frequently is in tension with reduced powerconsumption. E.g., if a Bluetooth wireless link is used for link 1130,the sleep configuration of the Bluetooth radios adjusts how often theradios are enabled within their allocated time slots, which directlyimpacts both battery life and latency. If the overall path latency priorto initiating the scan is too much, and reducing the latency byincreasing power consumption is not an option, then in some usagescenarios, path 2010 is used.

The state of visual indicators 1164 is changed to “standby” (amber light1162 is lit) in operation 506B, corresponding to the first opportunitythat UFL 1166 has to receive scan data from the scanner. The standbyindication gives visual feedback that the scan action has been completedlocally and that the scanner is waiting for host confirmation (i.e. hostconfirmation is pending) The location of the operation setting thepending indication is not critical, although the exact definition of thestandby indication necessarily may change as a result of its placementin the control flow.

In operation 507, UFL 1166 forwards the scan data and status to hostprocessor 1210. Once host processor 1210 has determined that the scanwas successful, the host processor communicates success state back toUFL 1166 (via the ACK), in operation 508. If host processor 1210determines that the scan was not successful (based on the scan status,invalid data, or an elapsed time-out interval), then host processor 1210optionally communicates failure state back to UFL 1166 (via the FAIL).

In operation 509, the state of visual indicators 1164 is updated asfunction of the host feedback. In the event of success, UFL 1166 changesthe pending indication to a successful completion indication (amberlight 1162 is extinguished and green light 1163 is lit). In the event offailure (either due to an explicit FAIL from the host, or due to atimeout without ACK), UFL 1166 changes the pending indication to afailure indication (e.g., by extinguishing amber light 1162 and keepinggreen light 1163 dark, flashing amber light 1162, or by an additionalred light indicator, not explicitly shown). Optionally in operation 509,UFL 1166 also sends a command to scan engine 1150 to sound audibleindicator 1152 to provide positive or negative audible feedback (e.g., ashort pleasant tone for a successful scan, a long discordant buzz for afailed scan). After operation 509, the process conceptually returns tooperation 500, corresponding to waiting for a new scan to be userinitiated.

Thus UFL 1166 indicates transitions among four states via correspondingtransitions of the lights and tones. The states (and associated examplevisual and audible indications) are Waiting on User (no lights), Standbyfor Host Confirmation (amber light), Good Scan at Host (green light,positive tone), and Bad Scan at Host (red light, negative tone).

CONCLUSION

Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in some detailfor purposes of clarity of understanding, the invention is not limitedto the details provided. There are many ways of implementing theinvention. The disclosed embodiments are illustrative and notrestrictive.

It will be understood that many variations in construction, arrangementand use are possible consistent with the teachings and within the scopeof the claims of the issued patent. For example, interconnect andfunction-unit bit-widths, clock speeds, and the type of technology usedmay generally be varied in each component block. The names given tointerconnect and logic are merely illustrative, and should not beconstrued as limiting the concepts taught. The order and arrangement offlowchart and flow diagram process, action, and function elements maygenerally be varied. Also, unless specifically stated to the contrary,the value ranges specified, the maximum and minimum values used, orother particular specifications (such as a type, a size, aconfiguration, or a pinout of a connector; a type or a size of a cable;a form factor or physical dimensions of a card; types of radio circuitryor frequencies of radio transmission or reception; a type of processoror a nature of control circuitry; a manner of wearing or attaching aring unit to a finger; a manner of wearing or attaching a wrist unit;and the number of entries or stages in registers and buffers), aremerely those of the illustrative embodiments, may be expected to trackimprovements and changes in implementation technology, and should not beconstrued as limitations.

Functionally equivalent techniques known to those of ordinary skill inthe art may be employed instead of those illustrated to implementvarious components, sub-systems, functions, operations, routines, andsub-routines. It is also understood that many design functional aspectsmay be carried out in either hardware (i.e., generally dedicatedcircuitry) or software (i.e., via some manner of programmed controlleror processor), as a function of implementation dependent designconstraints and the technology trends of faster processing (whichfacilitates migration of functions previously in hardware into software)and higher integration density (which facilitates migration of functionspreviously in software into hardware). Specific variations may include,but are not limited to: differences in partitioning; different formfactors and configurations; use of different operating systems and othersystem software; use of different interface standards, networkprotocols, or communication links; and other variations to be expectedwhen implementing the concepts taught herein in accordance with theunique engineering and business constraints of a particular application.

The embodiments have been illustrated with detail and environmentalcontext well beyond that required for a minimal implementation of manyof aspects of the concepts taught. Those of ordinary skill in the artwill recognize that variations may omit disclosed components or featureswithout altering the basic cooperation among the remaining elements. Itis thus understood that much of the details disclosed are not requiredto implement various aspects of the concepts taught. To the extent thatthe remaining elements are distinguishable from the prior art,components and features that may be so omitted are not limiting on theconcepts taught herein.

All such variations in design comprise insubstantial changes over theteachings conveyed by the illustrative embodiments. It is alsounderstood that the concepts taught herein have broad applicability toother computing and networking applications, and are not limited to theparticular application or industry of the illustrated embodiments. Theinvention is thus to be construed as including all possiblemodifications and variations encompassed within the scope of the claimsof the issued patent.

1. (canceled)
 2. A method comprising: from a networked computing node,providing a scan initiation command to a portable scanner; in thenetworked computing node, receiving at least a portion of scan datagathered by the portable scanner responsive to the scan initiationcommand; from the networked computing node, providing user feedbackinformation to the portable scanner, the user feedback informationindicating successful entry of the at least a portion of the scan datainto a database; and wherein the user feedback information enables theportable scanner to set a scan status indicator of the portable scannerto a final state responsive to the user feedback information.
 3. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising the networked computing node usingthe database, the using comprising at least one of querying the databaseand updating the database.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein thedatabase comprises at least one of a local copy and a remote copy, andfurther wherein the querying comprises locally querying and the updatingcomprises locally updating.
 5. The method of claim 2, wherein thenetworked computing node comprises a client/server.
 6. The method ofclaim 2, wherein the networked computing node comprises at least one ofa local area network and a wide area network.
 7. The method of claim 2,wherein the networked computing node comprises a host enabled tocommunicate over at least one of a local area network and a wide areanetwork.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the host is further enabledto communicate over a wireless link with the portable scanner.
 9. Themethod of claim 2, wherein the scan data is in accordance with aninventory function.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the inventoryfunction comprises at least one of verifying inventory, addinginventory, and deleting inventory.
 11. An apparatus comprising: adatabase; a client/server; wherein the client/server is enabled, via acommunication interface, to provide a scan initiation command to aportable scanner, to receive at least a portion of scan data gathered bythe portable scanner responsive to the scan initiation command, and toprovide user feedback information to the portable scanner; wherein theuser feedback information indicates successful entry of the at least aportion of the scan data into the database; and wherein the userfeedback information enables the portable scanner to set a scan statusindicator of the portable scanner to a final state responsive to theuser feedback information.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein theclient/server is capable of using the database, the using comprising atleast one of querying the database and updating the database.
 13. Theapparatus of claim 12, wherein the database comprises at least one of alocal copy and a remote copy, and further wherein the querying compriseslocally querying and the updating comprises locally updating.
 14. Theapparatus of claim 11, further comprising at least one of a local areanetwork and a wide area network.
 15. The apparatus of claim 11, furthercomprising a host enabled to communicate over at least one of a localarea network and a wide area network.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the host is further enabled to communicate over a wireless linkwith the portable scanner.
 17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein thescan data is in accordance with an inventory function.
 18. The apparatusof claim 17, wherein the inventory function comprises at least one ofverifying inventory, adding inventory, and deleting inventory.
 19. Asystem comprising: means for providing a scan initiation command from anetworked computing node to a portable scanner; means for receiving, inthe networked computing node, at least a portion of scan data gatheredby the portable scanner responsive to the scan initiation command; meansfor providing user feedback information from the networked computingnode to the portable scanner, the user feedback information indicatingsuccessful entry of the at least a portion of the scan data into adatabase; and wherein the user feedback information enables the portablescanner to set a scan status indicator of the portable scanner to afinal state responsive to the user feedback information.
 20. The systemof claim 19, further comprising the networked computing node using thedatabase, the using comprising at least one of querying the database andupdating the database.
 21. The system of claim 19, wherein the scan datais in accordance with an inventory function and the inventory functioncomprises at least one of verifying inventory, adding inventory, anddeleting inventory.